Backplane Tester and Method of Use

A backplane is an electronic circuit board containing circuitry and/or slots into which additional electronics devices can be interconnected. The backplane provides the physical and electrical connections between the various system components, providing the interface for the components to electrically and electronically communicate. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the backplane is operating within specified parameters, effectively performing fault analysis, and effectuating repairs when appropriate.

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane), has developed and patented a backplane test device that provides the possible flexibility of being operationally resident on a standard form factor and potentially providing a testing capability that does not require the use of hardware or software not residing on the card form factor. This effective device is suitable for environments that have space constraint and are subject to vibration due to their operation nature. The backplane tester has the flexibility to not only be configurable to standard sizes on the market, but also to standards of other components as they are developed. In addition, this device provides the ability for a backplane to be tested and repaired while in operation.

Advantages: -Low- cost -Robust -Compact and easy to use -Simple to manufacture -Standardized for the market